Micro Four Thirds

Micro-four-thirds cameras may be small in your pocket but their impact on your pocketbook can often still be significant. Stepping into the budget micro-4/3 market is the Olympus Pen E-PL1, packing much of the functionality from the 12.3-megapixel PEN E-P2 but with a considerably cheaper price tag. Built with mainstream consumer photographers in mind, we've been putting it through its paces for the full SlashGear review.

When the micro four thirds cameras first started to hit the market, it was easy to mistake them for more compact DSLR cameras. The big difference between the micro four thirds units and the DSLR is that the former lacks the mirror used by DSLR cameras.

Panasonic have announced pricing for their recently-launched LUMIX G2 and G10 digital cameras. Revealed last month, we now know that the LUMIX G2 - available in red, blue and black - will come in at $799.95, while the LUMIX G10 - in black only - will land at $599.95.

Panasonic have outed their latest Micro Four Thirds camera, but rather than try to squeeze DSLR-style interchangeable lens flexibility into your pocket, they're strapping it to the front of a relatively compact HD camcorder. The Panasonic AG-AF100 has a single-chip micro 4/3-inch 12.1-megapixel sensor and records at native 1080/24p.

Sony have brought along a raft of concept cameras to PMA 2010 this week, including a new hybrid - in the manner of Micro Four Thirds shooters - that has a CyberShot-sized body but interchangeable lenses, an Exmor APS HD CMOS sensor and full AVCHD video recording. They're also showing off a mid-range concept replacement for the α700 together with several new lenses including a Super Telephoto Lens (500mm F4 G).

If you were tempted by Panasonic's Lumix GF1 micro four thirds camera last year, but put off by its intimidating black casing, excellent news. The company has announced two new versions of the GF1, with the only differences being that they get silver and pink shells. The two new Lumix snappers have the same 12-megapixel sensor as the original, together with the interchangeable lenses.

Olympus' latest micro four thirds camera has come out from behind the hand and had a proper announcement. The Olympus PEN E-PL1 shaves $200 off the original E-P1 despite using its 12.3-megapixel sensor and offering the same mixture of DSLR-style lens swapping and HD video recording.

Remember Olympus' unusual camera teaser from earlier in the week? According to 43rumors you're looking at the knurled knob of Olympus' latest micro four thirds camera, freshly leaked to an Asian forum. Their tipsters have apparently confirmed that the incoming shooter will have the same sensor as the Olympus E-P1.